Is Belmont or Chicago Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belmont is safer than Chicago (Safety Score 83/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 755 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Chicago — 81% lower. Belmont has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Belmont has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Chicago is 96.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Belmont — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chicago — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belmont, MA
Chicago, IL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belmont | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 755.1 | 4,012.2 | -3,257.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 51.3 | 539.9 | -488.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 17.5 | -17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 29.3 | 58.8 | -29.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.3 | 335.3 | -328.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 14.7 | 128.3 | -113.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 703.8 | 3,472.4 | -2,768.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.0 | 294.8 | -140.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 509.5 | 2,318.8 | -1,809.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 40.3 | 858.9 | -818.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belmont or Chicago safer?
Belmont is safer with a total crime rate of 755 per 100K vs 4,012 for Chicago — a 81% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belmont has a violent crime rate of 51.3 per 100K while Chicago has 539.9. Belmont has lower violent crime.
About Belmont, MA
Belmont, a affluent Boston suburb, is home to McLean Hospital, a renowned psychiatric facility. This small town is characterized by its tree-lined streets and historic homes. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 27,280, Belmont has a total crime rate of 755.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Chicago, IL
Chicago, Illinois, a major Midwest hub and birthplace of the skyscraper, sits on Lake Michigan's shores. Its diverse population of over 2.7 million people contributes to its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 2,638,698, Chicago has a total crime rate of 4,012.2 per 100,000 residents.